Bhubaneswar: A number of youngsters from the state welcomed the New Year by taking part in a host of adventure activities.

Many people thronged the beaches of the state to catch a glimpse of the sunrise. Although the weather was cloudy in the early hours of the morning, the young brigade, especially the college students, were seen gathering near the beaches of Puri, Gopalpur and Chandipur.

Sarita Nanda, a tour operator, drove to Puri from Bhubaneswar to witness the sunrise. "We started at 3am and reached around 4.30am. The weather was not clear, but we enjoyed the environment at the beach. There could have been no better way to mark the first day of the year," she said.

A group of six friends set off on a journey on their motorbikes from Koraput on Sunday evening, travelling more than 500km, to reach Puri. It took them more than two hours to reach their destination. Apart from seeking blessings from Lord Jagannath and his siblings, their expedition had another purpose - they wanted to experience the adventures of a road trip.

"We have been planning to do something different this year. A road trip was the best option to witness the natural beauty of the state," said Bireswar Pati, an entrepreneur. Apart from the ride, the group also took part in photography sessions. Odia people from places, including Calcutta, Kharagpur and Vizag, travel on motorbikes and by cars to visit Puri and Gopalpur.

"Our state has some of the best driving routes, while road trips have become a trend these days. We went on a road trip as it offered adventure and fun," said Akanksha Mohapatra, an IT professional.

A number of youths also went on cycling expeditions, while others preferred trekking at the local mountains. They went on expeditions to the nearby hills.